On April 6, 2013, Albert DeMaria of Marietta, GA, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and avid aviator flew to Jesus fo llowing a four year climb to regain his strength after a stroke and a short but hard fought battle with cancer.
Born November 22, 1930 in New York City, New York to Mario and Christina (DiNapoli) DeMaria, Al was the youngest child of three after Robert DeMaria and Dorothy St. George, both of Long Island.
Because of his intense interest in flying, which began at age five, Al earned his private pilot’s license at age 16 though he was barred by New York law from obtaining a driver’s license until age 18. He enrolled in and graduated from the Manhattan High School of Aviation Trades in New York City and attempted to join the Air Force but was unable to because of a childhood illness. This did not stop him from pursuing one of his greatest passions and he owned and flew many small planes over the years. His many family and friends knew him to enjoy endless days and weekends at the airport with his airplane, talking with other pilots, eating a meal, watching airplanes take off and land, or up in the air soaring through the south Florida skies.
Always a hard worker and dedicated to whatever task he undertook, Al began working several different types of jobs in New York before becoming affiliated with a Pennsylvania company where he learned the business of manufacturing educational furniture and laboratory equipment. Following a brief return to New York, Al took his family to Miami, Florida where relatives resided. Though he began to work for another employer, he soon set his sights on founding and establishing his own company, Mark Products, which designed and installed laboratories for schools and hospitals. Subsequently, the company became a thriving business which, upon Al’s retirement in 2000, had offices in Miami and Atlanta and which he passed along to his sons, Carl and Bob.
Before moving to Marietta in 2002 from Miami, Al was an active member and on the building committee of Killian Pines United Methodist Church and the Tamiami Flying Club. Upon moving to Georgia, he became an active member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and the Marietta Senior Kiwanis Club. Though he found that keeping up his interest in flying was more difficult in Georgia, his love of flying never diminished and he enjoyed many hours with friends at the Cartersville Airport working on their airplanes and flying them.
He loved to spend time telling stories and swapping laughs with many friends throughout the years and his concern for other people was unmistakable. If Al DeMaria was your friend, you had a friend for life.
Aside from flying, the true joy of Al’s life was the family who loved him dearly and will miss him so much. His love for his beloved wife of 38 years, Mary Anne, and hers for him was evident to all. And all of his children and grandchildren never doubted his immense affection for each one. In addition to Mary Anne and his siblings, Dorothy and Bob, Al is survived by children Bob (Nancy) of Miami, FL, Laura (Mike) Looper of The Woodlands, TX, Diane (Dennis) Edwards of Woodstock, GA , Mark (Anne)DeMaria of Fort Collins, CO, Eve DeMaria of Homestead, FL, Carl (Nicole) DeMaria of Roswell, GA, Annie (Todd) Trimmer of Marietta, GA, Joy (Gordon) Moore of Norcross, GA, and Dawn (Steven) Weeks of Madison, MS , 22 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way.
A memorial service will be held at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Marietta on Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 4495 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 30066 or Killian Pines United Methodist Church, 10755 SW 112th Street, Miami, FL 33176.
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